It was shot down by rogue elements of the Iranian government. Apparently some prominent members of a powerful Iranian family were on board Iran Air 655. They wanted revenge, and used their pull in the Iranian government to get the missiles. To acknowledge the truth would have put Bill Clinton in a position he did not want to be in.
And this Iranian family/ Bill Clinton secret survived 17 years? I am sorry but this story just does not get past my BS meter.
It obviously didn't stay a secret for 17 years. It just didn't make it to the general public. You are perfectly entitled to think it's bullsh*t. I won't even argue with you about it.
I expect we may be soon hearing from others who are in a position to know.